Jessamine (Grade 2) (BC)- $400.00 Purse
KEE- For Fillies Two Years Old
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Turf
October 2, 2026

KEE is the place to be on Friday if you are a two year old filly that likes to run on the turf. The Grade 2 Jessamine will be providing the second of three automatic spots in the BC Juvenile Filles Turf, with Saturday’s Miss Grillo at BEL finishing off the win and you’re in races for that BC event. This is the 23rd time that the race has been run and has seen both horses that went on to great things in their careers and fillies that had their Jessamine victory be their claim to fame. Last year, Mb Stables got the win with Mini Mulite, a filly that then struggled in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf and has not won a stake since. Don’t give up on her entirely, because despite that, she’s running decently. As it should be, the gate is full, so let’s meet those filling the field!

1- Another Tackle (First Flight Stable, ridden by T Gaffalione)- She’s made just once start, coming in early August at BTP, where she was able to pick up the win. Does not have many public works on her, but it can safely be assumed that she got a nice post-race bump and positively responded to the trainer’s add testing. Time is running out to get in the BC, so you have to swing for the fence right now if you think the horse is capable.

2- Lasting Empire (Lemax Farms, ridden by F Pennington)- After running on dirt twice, Lasting Empire was finally able to move to the turf and took full advantage of it by breaking her maiden at GP in July. A month later, she made a trek north of the border and was not bothered the soft turf in the slightest, going on to win an optional claimer. She’ll be stepping it up significantly in class here, and also runs long for the first time.

3- Amazingly (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by Mar Garcia)- Amazingly is still a maiden in five starts, not doing much against NY-breds in four tries on the dirt other than convince her trainer to run her in the Grade 1 Natalma last month for her turf debut. I’m not against picking maidens in races like this as two year olds, but to do so, I need to see a little something other than promising works. In the Natalma, Amazingly was a non-factor throughout. Fortunately, she’s got a trainer that can make the needed adjustments.

4- Legendary Shark (Mb Stables, ridden by P Lopez)- Mb Stables picked her up in private sales for $85.00 five weeks after she broke her maiden at LS. Last month, she would run in her new silks for the first time, while also making her turf debut in the OT Juvenile Fillies Turf at DMR. She looked good in the race, running third and within half a length of the winner. Perhaps a little more distance would have helped her out there, and she’ll get that here.

5- Go Woke Go Broke (TwinTowersRacing, ridden by M J Sanchez)- The only horse in the Natalma that actually ran worse than Amazingly. However, at least she is not a maiden, as she was able to score a two length win in the mud at SAR in the race just prior to heading north of the border. For the Natalma, the trainer added a shadow roll, and that will not be returning here. I do hope there was a reason behind the scenes for that last work.

6- Royal Gamer (Serenity Stables, ridden by J R Velazquez)- The trainer took a shot last month with Royal Gamer by entering her into the $750.00 KD Juvenile Fillies. It would be her third career start, and came following a respectable fourth at DMR. Against some of the best, she would run third, though was never able to threaten the winner. I’m quite surprised that she’s the only horse in this field that ran in that stake, and like the preparation it gives her for the Jessamine.

7- Grass Skirt (Greyhound, ridden by F T Alvarado)- With just two public works, and at three furlongs to boot, there’s not much to work with when looking at Gras Skirt. After getting her debut race out of the way at LAD, she made a trip to the Spa and had no issue with the soft turf whatsoever, winning against fellow NY-breds. That coming on an off track provides another challenge when looking at her. I’ll have to leave her out of my picks for that reason, and any doubt can be erased with a top three finish here.

8- Cherish (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by L Saez)- The first two starts for Cherish came on the main track, and she did look good at PRX in that second start. Afterwards, she would moved to the grass, but ran for a lower purse at FE. She took care of business at seven furlongs there, winning by two, and then followed that up by winning an allowance at LAD. Does work nicely, and that can do a lot to make people feel better about her wins coming at low level tracks.

9- Simple B (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by S X Bridgmohan)- Made her debut last month at MTH, and impressively came from behind for the win. The victory stands out not only for the manner in which it was done, but to look that good in you’re first race in our game is particularly notable. She should only get better after that race, as she continues to grow. Whether or not she wins or even earns a check here will not change the fact that she looks to have a bright future ahead of her. The quick turnaround to put her back out there speaks highly of the trainer’s confidence with her.

10- Asteromata (Mb Stables, ridden by R Santana Jr)- Joined the Mb Stables army at the beginning of August when she was picked up in private sales for $70.00. Her prior trainer sold her just a couple weeks after breaking her maiden at the bullring. With Mb Stables, Asteromata made it to SAR last month and was second in a very tight finish at the wire. She’ll get a chance to show what she can do on the grass for the first time.

11- Snacks And Facts (LionKing Stables, ridden by A Fresu)- Made the first two starts of her career at TX against statebreds, winning on debut before attempting the $75.00 TX Stallion Stakes- Zareta. She looked good there as well, making passes late to get up for second, though never threatened the winner. That didn’t stop her from being placed into the auction, and about two weeks ago, LionKing picked her up for $20.01. A recent turf work looked promising, making her appealing in this field.

12- Indian Fatwa (Diablo Diablo, ridden by V Espinoza)- When we looked at Royal Gamer earlier, we pointed out that she the only filly to attempt the $750.00 KD Juvenile Fillies that is running here. Well, the only other horse to try anything at KD would be Indian Fatwa, who was in the $750.00 Untapable Stakes. In that, she started from post 14 and came from behind to finish third and within a length of the win. For the third race in a row, and third time in four tries, Indian Fatwa starts from the extreme outside, but she’s been able to make it work so should be able to do again. I like what the preparation at KD gives the two that are running here, and expect both to do well.

Prediction: 6-12-9-4

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES